Demand for recognising Koshali language grows

The demand for official recognition of Koshali language used in the western parts of Odisha intensified Wednesday with a delegation from the region submitting a memorandum to Governor S.C. Jamir here.

Koshali is used by 1.5 crore people in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. It must be accorded the status of second language in the state, Sambalpuri-Koshali Bhasa Pratisthan (SKBP) chairman Sriballav Panigrahi, who led the delegation, told reporters.

He said the delegation urged the governor to direct the state government to recommend to the central government for its inclusion in the 8th schedule of the constitution of India.

SKBP has been working for the promotion of Koshali language and demanding its constitutional recognition. Panigrahi said some educational institutions in western Odisha are already imparting lessons in Koshali at the school level.